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The lotus (Nelumbo spp.) is one of the most widely recognized flowers in the world. Used symbolically in Asian cultures, the plant can also be grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 10. It is not difficult to establish if its growing requirements are carefully followed. The first step is to create a lotus pond -- the perfect aquatic environment for the lotus to grow and thrive.

Install the Pond Liner

1

Choose a site for the lotus pond with full sun. A location where the ground is fairly level is easiest to work with. Lotus is a large plant with leaves up to 2 feet across and enormous flower stalks that rise several feet in the air. The minimum size for a pond to accommodate lotus plants is 4 feet in diameter, though smaller ponds could be considered for dwarf lotus varieties.

2

Mark the shape of the pond on the ground with a trail of flour, and then cut the outline of the basin in the soil with a garden spade. For rigid pre-fabricated liners, excavate the soil in the approximate shape and depth of the basin. If using a flexible pond liner, any desired shape can be excavated, as long as the liner is large enough to cover it. Make sure there is enough pond liner to overlap the edges on all sides by at least 12 inches. A lotus pond needs to be at least 18 inches deep.

3

Adjust the soil and liner as needed to make the pond level. Run a string across the length and the width of the pond liner. The string will make it easy to see if the liner is level. For installing a rigid, pre-formed liner, use sand or loose soil to backfill any cavities between the liner and the surrounding soil.

4

Fill the basin with water. For flexible pond liners, cut any excess material 12 inches from the the top of the pond and bury the remaining liner under the soil at the edge of the pond -- this step is critical for anchoring the liner. Lotus can be planted once the water temperature 6 inches below the surface has warmed to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

5

Fill a large pot or planter with topsoil. Bagged soil from a garden center or rich, fertile soil from a garden bed can be used. The container should be at least 5 gallons with a 6-inch depth. Wide and shallow containers are more suitable than tall and deep ones. Any material can be used as long as it holds soil. Once the lotus is planted in the container, cover the top of the soil with a 2-inch layer of gravel. This will prevent the soil from floating out when the planter is submerged.

6

Lower the planter into the water so it is about 3 inches below the surface. A combination of cinder blocks and/or bricks can be used to support the planter at this height. Later the planter will be placed permanently on the bottom of the pond at a depth of up to 3 feet. The shallow depth is required initially so the lotus tuber can quickly break dormancy in the warm water near the surface.

Things You Will Need

Garden spade

Pond liner or pre-formed pond basin

Flour

String level

String

Sand

Large pot or planter

Topsoil

Gravel or decorative pebbles

Cinder blocks

Bricks

Gloves

Tips

To level the pond basin on uneven ground, use some of the excavated soil to build up a berm on the downhill side so that it is even with the grade on the uphill side.

Either PVC or EPDM pond liners can be used, but they require a fabric underlayment to prevent abrasion and punctures.

To conceal the edge of the pond liner, consider using flagstone as a decorative border on the edge of the pond.

Warning

Some measure must be taken to prevent breeding mosquitoes in the lotus pond. "Mosquito dunks" are an easy form of biological control. However, a fountain or other recirculating water system causes enough water movement to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and helps to maintain water quality, as well.

About the Author

Brian Barth works in the fields of landscape architecture and urban planning and is co-founder of Urban Agriculture, Inc., an Atlanta-based design firm where he is head environmental consultant. He holds a Master's Degree in Environmental Planning and Design from the University of Georgia. His blog, Food for Thought, explores the themes of land use, urban agriculture, and environmental literacy.